RunRio

I’m not [yet] a runner. But one of my goals this year is to get into sports [again] - either badminton or running. I know badminton… but not running. I did a li’l research and I came across RUNRIO.

So, I read his bio…

Coach RIO DELA CRUZ is an awesome person.  His running lessons’ may really be great but I don’t intend to be a hardcore runner.  But sure there’s something I learned from what I read -his experience is just so inspiring and encouraging to run this race called life.

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what a good [birthday] read

Oportunistang Pinoy

Opportunistic. Opportunist. taking immediate advantage, often unethically, of any circumstance of possible benefit.

Oportunista. mapagsamantala.

Mapa-Ingles o Tagalog, parehong pangit ang pakahulugan ng salita. Pero kung hihimayin - ang ugat na salitang “opportunity,” dinikitan ng makabuluhang -ist, sinamahan pa ng -ic - mukha namang medyo maganda pakinggan.

So, oportunista silang mga hindi pinalalampas ang pagkakataon para sa pansariling kapakinabangan?

Oportunista ba silang nagpupumilit makipagsiksikan sa Maynila para sa inaakala nilang mas magandang buhay? Eh pano naman ‘yung mga nakikipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa sa kahit anong trabaho para lang may ma-i-buhay sa pamilya sa Pilipinas?

Oportunista ba silang naglalako sa kalsada at bangketa, hindi baleng makipaghagaran kina kuyang MMDA, maka-iwas lang sa mahal na renta sa pwesto? Paano naman ‘yung mga mas pinipiling sa loob ng mall magbenta, kahit maliit at mahal ang pwesto, meron namang siguradong mapipilitang mga tao na bibili?

Oportunista ba silang gusto agad bumaba sa tapat ng bahay nila, eh nasa banda roon pa yung tamang babaan? Paano naman yung mga di bale nang malayo, pero mas gustong doon bumaba para naman makapag-exercise kahit papano?

Oportunista ba silang kung kelang brown out, saka nag-bonding? Eh paano ‘yung nag-file ng leave sa isang long weekend para maka-uwi sa pamilya sa probinsya? [meron pa bang long weekend???]

Bakit sa MS Word 2010, ang opportunistic ay nangangahulugang resourceful?

Jacob’s Escape

*from Bible Exposition Commentary

Genesis 31:1-21

Jacob had been away from home twenty years, and it was time he returned to his roots. His father Isaac and his brother Esau were still alive, and Jacob had some “unfinished business” to settle with both of them.

How did the Lord tell Jacob that it was time, to leave? The same way He leads His people today: through the inner witness in the heart, the outward circumstances of life, and the truth of His Word.

Six years before, God had put the desire in Jacob’s heart to return to his own country (30:25), and that desire had never left him. While not every longing in the human heart is necessarily the voice of God (Jer. 17:9), and we must carefully exercise discernment, the Lord often begins to speak to us in that way.

Along with the desire within us, God also directs us as He did Jacob through the circumstances around us (Gen. 31:1-2). Toward the end of those six critical years, Jacob noticed that his in-laws weren’t as friendly toward him as before, largely because of the increase in his wealth. Circumstances aren’t always the finger of God pointing out His way (Acts 27:1-15), but they can be significant indicators of God’s will. When God wants to move us, He occasionally makes us uncomfortable and “stirs up its nest” (Deut. 32:11).

The third and most important way God leads us is through His Word. God had already spoken to Jacob in a dream (Gen. 31:10-13), but Jacob remained in Padan Aram to acquire his wealth. Then God said to him, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you” (v. 3). As the story of Jacob unfolds, you will discover that God spoke to him at every important crisis in his life: leaving home (28:12-15), returning home (31:1-13), meeting Esau (32:24ff), visiting Bethel (35:lff), and moving to Egypt (46:1-4). God leads us in the paths of righteousness if we’re willing to follow (Ps. 23:3).

But Jacob took time to share his thinking with Rachel and Leah; for after all, he was asking them to leave their people and home and go with him to another land and people. Even though the Word of God is our primary source of wisdom in making decisions (119:105), it’s good for us to consult with others and weigh their counsel, particularly those closest to us. Both Rachel and Leah agreed that their father hadn’t been fair with Jacob or loving toward them, and that it was time to make a new beginning. Not only had he treated their husband like a common slave, but also he had used up their own dowries (Gen. 31:14-15).

But instead of facing Laban honestly and trusting the Lord to keep His promises and work things out, Jacob fled with his family like a criminal escaping justice. This was an act of fear and unbelief, not an act of faith; for “whoever believes will not act hastily” (Isa. 28:16, NKJV). In fact, Jacob later admitted to Laban that he had departed secretly and quickly because he was afraid (Gen. 31:31). It isn’t enough to know and do the will of God; we must also do His will in the way He wants it done, the way that will glorify Him the most.

My 2010 Election Thoughts

          This election (so far) is the most memorable for me as I take part in the Philippine’s first automated election. Thanks to Sen. Gordon for the Election Automation Law, we looked civilized citizens of the world. ^,^

The Election Process

Thanks to automation, the election results would be available more quickly BUT thanks to the 1 PCOS machine to 1000 voters ratio, it took us 3 hours to vote - 3 hours to wait for our turn to shade the ballot and accomplish other forms for 2 minutes, which would result to 6 years of new Philippine government.

          I hope next election, the ratio would be at most 1:500 para naman  1-1/2 hr na lang kami pipila and hindi na kami masyado magagastusan sa pagbili ng kung ano-anong makakain while in line. 

          The thought that the voter gets to feed his/her ballot to the PCOS machine got me so excited, to the point that I dreamt about it – I immediately fed my ballot after shading my president & VP! kawawa naman gov & mayor.

The Voters

          The long wait in line exposed the different kinds of people we are. Nakakainis pero andami pa ring walang discipline - “makapal ang mukha” na sumingit sa pila. There were people who were honest enough na hindi sumingit dahil lang may kakilala - great people! But then, there were those “not so honorable” people who would be given special treatment. haiz! So happy to see old faces din - my elementary teachers, some classmates, and of course my neighbors!

          I’m also proud that our precincts cared for the elderly, pregnant, and disabled; we had an “express lane” for them.

The Candidates

          Compared to the 2004 election (my first one), I had choices for presidency. Among these presidentia-boys - Mama’s Boy, Little Boy, Chick Boy, AmBoy, Amazing Boy, Pretty Boy, Poor Boy, Good Boy, and Feeling Boy - I honestly feel that there’s only one candidate that I was really bothered if elected president. It was like choosing which one is the best and not just the lesser evil.

          This is also the election that I attended a presidential forum. A political forum that made me cry. I got teary-eyed, but my heart was flooded. His statements aroused my desperation to see a new Philippines where people don’t beg and ask for help (the poverty mentality), but people who would stand with dignity and pride as a Filipino.

The Election Coverage

ABS and GMA wowed me. Need not ask why - the sets and the gimmicks were great! HI-TECH! But in how they covered the campaign, it didn’t surprise me. Their “biased” coverage was expected - more exposure for the big names, less exposure for the rest. It’s okay. I don’t think there are a lot to cover if the candidate does not have a big concert-like meeting de avance full of celebrities. 

          And by the way, we also covered my youngest sister’s first time to vote. We had a family pic showing our indelibly inked index fingers while proudly wearing red under the 1PM heat of the sun (just imagine). Unfortunately, i deleted my pictures’ folder in my SD card. Of course I cried! haha!

The Election Results

          Man, that’s really fast! New local officials were proclaimed within 48 hours. No more maze-like blackboards or whiteboards lined up in gymnasiums. I can access the internet from time to time to see updated results. WOW! I just hope I can really trust the integrity of these results.

The New Government

I got disappointed with the top 5 senators (except for Defensor), moreso, with the top 2 presidentiable. What kind of voters do we have?!?! It broke my heart that the Filipinos seem to have forgotten EDSA 1 & EDSA 2.

Noynoy is leading the presidential race, no doubt he’s gonna be the next president. But I have other doubts. Does he have the Filipinos’ mandate even his votes were less than 50%? He might be a clean slate, but he hasn’t proven anything yet. People might have liked him because of Ninoy & Cory. Without the proven track record, I hope he would have servant-hearted people to advise him. I’ve mentioned once that I think I’m more afraid of him winning the presidency than if it is Villar. The reason - i fear another doll would be erected along EDSA, just like the one in Ortigas.          

I pray that we Filipinos would not just rely on the one sitting in Malacañan. It’s a collective effort, and so let’s help build this nation. We might have supported different presidentiables, but once the new officials are proclaimed, the bible tells us…

          ¹Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. ²So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. (Romans 13:1-2,NLT)

¹I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- ²for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4,NIV)

          God Bless the Philippines!

Coincidence?

“Your thoughts are not My thoughts; your ways are not My ways” says the Lord.  I got frustrated that I cried a lot but I had nothing to do but obey… It’s a year already. It was January 9 of 2009 when I first mourned…

It’s January 9 again. 2010. As I reflect on the 2nd day’s Prayer and Fasting readings, the same message echoes in my head… “Your thoughts are not My thoughts; your ways are not My ways…”

Could this just be a coincidence?  The same message for the same day of the year! Have I not learned and have I not really surrendered it to Him last year? 

Maybe… He’s revealing me that I need to let go of what I’m holding on to in 2009 that will hinder His blessings for me in that specific area of my life this 2010.

Or could it be a different area of my life now?  Well, just before 2010 came in, I drafted a plan that I brought up to God. Something that tells God, please do this for me. I want this.

As I have read tonight, Isaiah exhorts that I have to “Seek God, forsake my own ways, and turn to God.”  While it’s not bad at all to plan for the future, it’s a matter of asking myself, “Is it what God wants for me? Is it how God sees it?”

Apostle Paul talked about God’s  unsearchable wisdom in Romans 11. His plans may be unfathomable  but His greatness is an assurance that when I can’t understand it, He knows just what I need, and the best that I should have.

Am I My Brother’s Keeper?

What a famous line of Cain.. Now, we’re still hearing people say this or rather, implied in what they are saying and in what their actions are…

I was in a jeepney the other night. In UP Diliman. A place of the most genius and educated people perhaps.  Well, I don’t really think so after I got off from that jeepney.

There was this really big girl who got in and pushed her big a** (sorry for the word ^,^) at the seat of the almost fully loaded jeep. She sat beside me and I almost popped out of my seat. She’s got two bags. Well, me too. But my! I was so careful with my things that they wouldn’t go into my seatmate’s lap.  But this big girl was so insensitive that one of her bags was on my lap already. “Come on! You have a big lap!” I was mumbling.

And then this thing came.

“…Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9, KJV)

She wanted to be comfortable in expense of other person’s comfort. She didn’t mind. Now if everyone else acts like that - not caring about how other people feels, not minding if they are already hurting you as long as they benefit; well, near to crab mentality right? - is it like saying, “I don’t care whatever happens to them. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Are we accountable for what happens to people around us? Oh well, whatever we do somehow affects others. It could be directly - like that incident - or indirectly, like I could have been so pissed off that night that I did the same thing and just passed on the insensitivity and rudeness to whoever I met.

We are always to be reminded of the golden rule.. Do unto others what you would like others do unto you. Treat others as you want them to treat you. (Matthew 7:12, CEV)

“Miracles happen when someone cares.”

At the end of the day, it’s not about how much money was added to your savings nor the wealth you have acquired. It’s not about how much knowledge have you gained nor how many people had admired your intelligence.  Rather, it’s about how you’ve given glory and honor to God by being a good steward of the things He gave you - by treating His creations well, having an impact in other people’s lives.. By being the miracle someone needs…

“She may not be able to get her healing, but she got her miracle - it’s you.” (A Walk To Remember)

Have we made an impact and touched someone’s life today?

Extraordinary Love

In Luke 7:36-50, the story of the woman with great sin who came to Jesus weeping teaches us the extraordinary things we can do to love (and serve) God…

WATER vs TEARS. It’s ordinary to clean with water; but the woman cleansed Jesus’ feet with her tears.  An extraordinary service would be something that is done until it hurts. Giving beyond tithes, giving until it hurts. Serving our brothers and sisters beyond our capacity, serving until it hurts.

TOWEL vs HAIR.  It’s ordinary that we dry using towel; it may be our comfort zone as it eases our pain or gives us joy after a painful experience. But it’s extraordinary to use the hair.  We’ve heard time and again that the hair is one’s crowning glory.  Cleaning the Master’s feet with the hair meant laying down the woman’s pride; maybe that means setting aside our comfort zones and everything that gives us dignity.

KISS ON CHEEK vs KISS ON FEET. While it’s customary for the Jewish to greet one another with a kiss, Simon (the house owner) didn’t do that to Jesus; but it’s extraordinary that the woman came weeping and kissed Jesus’ feet. That lowly place is reached through kneeling, and kneeling means total submission and total surrender to the Master.

OIL vs PERFUME.  It’s ordinary to anoint the head with oil; but it’s extraordinary to anoint the feet with perfume.  The perfume in the alabaster jar meant everything to the woman.  It’s her sweat and blood that gave her the precious perfume to attract more potential customers; and it meant her whole life to break that jar to offer to Jesus.

We may tend to be so used with the ordinary things that we do in serving in God’s kingdom. We may be overfamiliar that our hearts may no longer have the desire to get the Master’s attention into intimacy with Him. We may be in the comfort zones of Christianity that we forget that there are greater things we can do where God can move more greatly in us and through us. We may be so consumed with our passion towards serving but not actually in the process loving our King.

Don’t let that precious thing hold you back from loving and serving God or he’ll take that away from you. Break that alabaster jar! Nothing is more precious than to let that scent of true service come out. It is in brokenness and freedom from mediocrity that we can truly experience the extraordinary God.

*Excerpt from DFMI Sunday Service (10.25.2009; Ptr. Profirio Yasay, Jr. aka Kuya Wawa)

Past. Present. Future. Living Life to the Full…

FracisM at work

“NMS Dietitian… 14-A please…”

Nagmamagandang-loob, so I called Trina and told her, “pina-page ka.” It was later that afternoon, that I was able to ask her what it was all about…

FM’s family and physicians had a conference. He’s gonna be in ICU, and he’s referred to our service.

I was a li’l giggly inside. FM is referred to NMS and he’s on oral feeding; that means i get to interview him when i do the nutrition monitoring.

Uhm, no, i’m not a fan of Francis M. But of course he’s an icon in the Philippine music industry. And i’ve always been amazed with his nationalism.

Okay, time for monitoring.

The Cardio fellow & I were doing our rounds at the same time, so I let her enter the patient’s room first while I was waiting outside. I can see through the glass doors that weak-looking man in bed. He’s FM. Sigh. He’s the rap icon.

Just a few minutes and the doctor came out; but what she said made the people outside kind of panicked..? The patient was asking if there’s anything to help him breathe. SIGH. Okay, i’ll just do my visit the following morning perhaps. Maybe he’s better then and it would not be difficult to talk about food.

March 6. 8:55 am.

The NMS doctor welcomed me in the ICU, “Mr. Magalona’s already in tube feeds and TPN. But I think he’s not doing well.. He’s already in vent.”

And I was like “OH!” I knew it’s bad.

It was our department meeting that morning so I wasn’t able to visit him again. I just finished a couple of patient assessments, then left ICU.

Coming back that afternoon, the sobs of the visitors of MS2 made me sad. I knew something was happening… something terribly bad. I can’t look at them in the eye. I can’t ask the nurses. The ICU was strangely quiet.

Well, MS2 had expired. Hearing the silent cries was really painful.. His children sobbing, his wife, red in crying, and his doctor with tears in his face! Even the nurses were affected, the NMS staff too, as well as the fans outside the ICU and those at the lobby. Everyone was sad.

I too got sad. He’s too young to die. He’s a positive influencer in the music industry. He’s a national pride. He’s one rare Filipino breed. Yet his life is only that short.

Then I was reminded of the “One Life To Live” series. What legacy can we leave behind when we die?

I believe his legacy is great.
For the hip-hop generation.
For the people who love music.
For the young and old who’ve followed him.
For every Filipino.
For the world he wants to Filipinized.

Ironically True

When God said NO

February 9, 2009…
one month since i heard that startling news…
one year since that supposedly encouraging message…


Read…


Pray…


Cry…


Sob…


“NO, Jeck.”




“Don’t fix your eyes only on what you can see. I am not limited by what you think and what you can imagine. Though your thoughts may be logical, I can do more and greater, even impossible things. Have faith.”


Sob…


“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways…”


Sob…


“Okay, God. I get it. I am sorry for not trusting you. I am sorry for trying to insist just because i think it’s logical. I’m gonna let go…”


Sob…

Pursuing God

25 Prayers for my 25th Year

  For the past 24 years of my life, God has been faithful to me; and this year, I’m trusting Him once more for his faithfulness. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The God who blessed me the last 24 years is the same God who will fulfill His promises and cause a breakthrough… IN ALL AREAS OF MY LIFE…

A.    SPIRITUAL

1.    Intimacy. A more intimate walk with God that starts with a deeper devotion and produces more intense prayer and intercession.

2.    Compassion. To share Christ boldly in every way I can. It’s my prayer that people around me would see my good works to the glory of God, so they too will come to serve Christ. (Mt. 5:16)

3.    Commitment. A committed heart as I start to join a small group; willing and humble enough to learn new things even though I grew up in church.

4.    Involvement. That I may be able to start my [new] ministry now that I’m Manila-based. But then, I would still want be able to support in our church in Batangas. I’m no longer in the frontline so might as well be of help in ways I can whenever I visit them. (like preparing the food for the youth fellowship J)

5.    Discipleship. My own small group this year!

B.    CAREER

6.    Promotion. I’m believing God for a “higher level” of service in my work; specialization, that is. Hmmm… Maybe in Cancer or Cardio? I pray that Dietetics practice in the Philippines would really be improved and recognized.

7.    Clients. To establish clients/network of clients for my personal ND Counseling.

8.    Caring Heart. That I’d be an instrument of comfort to the patients I visit, especially the ones with terminal illnesses.

9.    Masters. Additional 12-15 units with good grades. J

10.  Module. A Nutrition Module that talks about Healthy Eating for Cancer or Heart patients and I’ll dedicate this to Ate Ime, my church who died of Breast Cancer with Brain metastasis.

C.    FINANCES

11.  Discipline. Yeah, discipline in spending and in following the budget I’ve set.

12.  Savings. Real savings. In bank. ‘Cause I don’t think that my money in bank right now can be called as savings.

13.  House. A place that my sis (Ehm) and I can keep. For long term. Don’t know yet if for good.

D.    FAMILY

14.  Freedom from debt. Amen.

15.  Family Car. Amen.

16.  House. We already have our own lot. Prayin’ that this year, the building would start.

17. Education (Carla & Jerem). The right school and course for Jerem. Provision for their tuition fees and other educational expenses, including allowances.

18.  Healing. For my Apo’s lung and sugar problems.

19.  Family Vacation. My! The last I guess was in 2000!

E.    HEALTH

20.  100 POUNDS! My target weight of at least 100 to about 110 lbs for me to be more nutritionally reliable to my clients. J

21.  Good Heartbeat. No more palpitations. Clear from thyroid problems, and thus good metabolism. Freedom from anxiety attacks and be able to really rest. (sigh! Choleric-Melancholy downsides)

F.    SALVATION…

22.  Of my officemates, especially the ones that I know are already near ground zero.

23.  Of my highschool and college friends/classmates. That wherever they are right now, I’m praying that God would send people who’ll lead them to Christ.

24.  Of my relatives in Laguna and Muntinlupa.

G.   MY LOVELIFE!

        25.  But of course! J

My dad once told us when we’re younger that it’s okay with him if we’ll enter in a relationship, but that’ll be at age 25! Legally, I can marry without parent’s consent, but I would never do that. And hey! Where’s my groom? My dad already prayed for my groom when I was just a fetus so I know he’s on the way. God will provide as He prepares me to be “a woman behind his man’s success” and “a strong but caring arms to build a home.” NAKS!

Getting To My Place Of Destiny

My depression mode for the past week led me to open my notes on messages that encouraged me for the past years. (yeah, years!)

This one is from Pastor Jentezen Franklin (one of my favorites).

How to get to your place of destiny?

Genesis 12: ¹The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. ² I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. ³ I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you. ⁴ So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. ⁵ He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth -his livestock and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran - and headed for the land of Canaan.

1.   Have the ability to hear God. (verses 1-3) Abraham was able to know what God had for him because he had a close relationship with God. He’s not a “Sunday Christian” type.

John 16: 13-14 tells us that the Spirit of Truth will tell us about the future. This wouldn’t happen of course if we are not walking closely with God, spending time in prayer and in His word.

And let me quote Pastor Julius Fabregas: “God allows prophecies to show us that victory is ahead.”

2.   Believe what God is telling you. (verse 4) Abraham had faith in what God told him.

James 6 says, ⁷be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

This is also the part where I want to say, “I’m keeping it silently in my heart…” just like Sarah upon hearing the angels telling her that she would have a child in her old age; just like Jacob upon knowing the ambitious dreams of his son Joseph… It comes from God, it surely will happen!

3.   Prepare for the season of divine denunciation. Have the courage to obey (verses 4-5 ) Abraham denounced his comfort zone. Moses gave up the palace. Queen Esther took the risk of losing her crown.

      It might mean my whole life inside the church, knowing everything to do then suddenly going to a new place where nobody knows you or even recognizes you. A 180-degree turn to a new world where it doesn’t matter if you’re from a prominent family or school or community. From something you are already sure what to do to something you are totally new.

      God lets us fall in the flesh so he can raise us up! He wants us to move from the safe zone to the faith zone, from something sure to nothing but faith!

4.   Focus on the promise and not on the journey. The next chapters of Genesis tell us that what happened to Abraham seemed to be opposite of what God had promised. The pharaoh wanting Sarai, and Abram disowning her as his wife; the battle between Sarai and Haggar; The offering of Isaac.

      At times, we seem to give up and lose sight of the vision. But we need to focus on the promise and not on the problems on the journey. We should not listen to the lies of the devil, ‘cause he just wants us to stop, and so we wouldn’t reach our destiny.

      God’s residence is on faith! We need to fight a good fight of faith.

keeping it silently in my heart…

“The Lord will put someone in your heart and you will not be mistaken.”

Do I have someone in my heart right now? hmmm…

Do dreams come true?

why do i have to dream about beautiful things only to wake up and find out that my dream’s not true.

SUGGESTION:

DAYDREAMING

i can be the author of my own dream right?

HYPOTHESIS:  the phrase “dream come true” actually means your dream is nearly impossible.

PROCEDURE:  wait if what happens in your dream happens in real life

My First Time To SPEAK

I’m a Nutrition Instructor, I’m not afraid of talking in front of my Nursing students.
I’m a Sunday School Teacher, I can deliver well my outline and I can even conduct a seminar about CLASS 301 to the whole church congregation.
I’m a Youth Leader, I can spontaneously exhort in our youth gatherings.
I’m a Small Group Leader, I can explain biblical concepts to my SG bros and sisses.
I’m a Song Leader, I can lead the congregation (even the whole Tanauan City alliance of Christians) for 30 minutes or so in praise & worship.

But I’m not a preacher.

when i was told, "Ikaw speaker sa Sunday," my initial reaction, sinabunutan ko sarili ko! I told my dad, I know I can do a talk in front of the congregation, I’ve done it before, when we had a church-wide workshop on Spiritual Gifts Inventory. But this one is not a workshop. It’s a sermon that I’m gonna be doing. hello?! sermon?! I know I’m confident I can do the talking but I wasn’t confident because I didn’t know what to say - i’m not yet an experienced person. wala pa kong alam sa buhay! But my dad just said, "Talk about your SHAPE. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit." YEAH, and I shut up.

Prior to this conversation, nakipag-bargain ako kay God.

1.) While waiting for a bus, kulimlim, tapos umambon. "God, hindi ako makakapagSpeak, mukhang masstranded ako."
- Biglang tumila ulan; the sky became clear.

2.) Riding the bus, nakatayo. "God, ayoko magspeak kasi wala pa po akong tulog."
- Someone offered a seat. no excuse. makakatulog na ‘ko during the travel.

3.) "God, pa’no nman ako magsspeak, wala naman akong na-prepare. [melan attack] bakit nman first time ko mag-speak eh wala man lang preparations, walang fasting, etc.
- Biglang nagsalita mommy ko, "may binabasa kang book a? (huh? naalala ng mommy ung book? kelan pa?)

4.) si kuya Erick na lang (our Missions Head) or si nanay Nita (Admin)
- [daddy] "eh kung sila ang sinabi sken ng Lord, sila kakausapin ko"
ano raw?! sinabi ng Lord?!

5.) "God, pag 25 na ako…" >>> ang logic, kasi, before ako mag-birthday, ‘twud be my regularization sa work. so, para sure na na-test ko talaga faithfulness ni God.
- [God speaking] "at ano? wala ka talagang faith? tingin mo hindi kita kayang i-regular sa work?"

6.) hmmm… God, ano ‘to? joke? isa pa! Wala pa po kaming bahay, sana mag-reply na ung sa room for rent at pumayag na 1 month deposit na lang.
- no reply. it’s as if God was saying, "sinusubukan mo ba ko? bket di ka muna sumunod?"

7.) sa Music Ministry Practice, ung head namin ang nag-lead ng prayer/devotion (which he never did). hmmm, kuya, does that mean, you’re going to take the leadership and obey God from now on?

- END OF LIST -

wala na ‘ko magawa. baka mamya biglang may malaking isda akong makasalubong at kainin ako. besides, i needed to do the outline for the sermon coz it’s already 9pm. whew! ’twas difficult and i changed topic thrice. haha… but when i was already desperate, God said, "just share your testimony." That meant share my stubborness! Share my murmuring! and share how God changed my heart to obey Him, then, His blessing followed. ah… i see!

Sunday morning… I was blessed even as i was doing the talk, kasi si God, kinakausap Nya din ako, and He was just reminding me things that I could just say "oo nga noh? galing mo God!"

After the service… I was more blessed to hear that while those people were staring at me during the service, one by one, they were telling me, God spoke to them, their tears were falling, it hit them, so on and so forth.

sigh… no great preparations but actually, the 3 years of God dealing with me about my prayer, was already His preparation for me. So that on June 8, 2008, i’ll have something to share to the church congregation.

(Thanks pa rin sa book ni Max Lucado, it helped me a lot in my first sermon)

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nag-reply nga pala ung sa room for rent. hahaha! di ko na naalala un. nagReply sya don sa time na i was thinking na humanap na ng ibang bahay.

The Pearl Of Letting Go

The cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five.  Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.
 
"Oh mommy please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?"
 
Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl’s upturned face.
 
"A dollar ninety-five.  That’s almost $2.00. If you really want them, I’ll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself.  Your birthday’s only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."
 
As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last, she had enough money to buy the necklace.
 
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath.  Mother said that if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
 
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny,
 
"Do you love me?"
 
"Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you."
 
"Then give me your pearls."
 
"Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She’s my very favorite."
 
"That’s okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night." And, he brushed her cheek with a kiss.
 
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny’s daddy asked again, "Do you love me?"
 
"Daddy, you know I love you."
 
"Then give me your pearls."
 
"Oh Daddy, not my pearls.  But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."
 
"That’s okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you."  And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.
 
A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.
 
"What is it, Jenny? What’s the matter?"
 
Jenny didn’t say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said,
 
"Here, daddy, this is for you."  
 
With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny’s daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket, pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls, and gave them to Jenny. He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure. 
 

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So it is, with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures. Isn’t God good? Are you holding onto things that God wants you to let go of?
 
Are you holding on to harmful or unnecessary partners, relationships, habits and activities that you have come so attached to that it seems impossible to let go? Sometimes it is so hard to see what is in the other hand but do believe this one thing. God will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.

[author unknown]

Cinderella Made Me Cry

It was the Cinderella Story* in Max Lucado’s “A Gentle Thunder” that I was reading this morning…

I think I wasn’t really reading it intently (adv. with eager attention; concentrated) because I was just actually reading out loud to practice English accent. (hehe) But the fact that what I was reading was the story of God’s GREAT LOVE, my heart felt it and I cried. I just couldn’t escape the reality of HOW GREAT THE LOVE OF GOD IS!

*Let me share with you the story…

Kenny and his family just returned from Disney World. He and his family were inside Cinderella’s castle packed with kids. Suddenly all children rushed to one side – Cinderella had entered!

Cinderella. The pristine princess. A gorgeous young girl with each hair in place, flawless skin, and a beaming smile. She stood waist-deep in a garden of kids, each wanting to touch and be touched.

For some reason Kenny looked toward the other side of the castle. It was now vacant except for a boy whose body is disfigured. Dwarfed in height, face deformed, he stood watching quietly and wistfully, holding the hand of an older brother.

Don’t you know what he wanted? He wanted to be with the other kids, reaching for Cinderella, calling her name. But can’t you feel his fear, fear of yet another rejection? Fear of being taunted again, mocked again?

Don’t you wish Cinderella would go to him? Guess what? She did!

She noticed the li’l boy and immediately began walking in his direction. She walked across the floor, knelt at eye level with the stunned li’l boy, and placed a kiss on his face.

Familiar story? Remember Jesus hanging on the cross with the thieves?

Different names but almost the same story Rather than a Disney princess, we have the Prince of Peace. Rather than a boy in the castle, there was a thief on the cross. In both cases, a gift was given and love was shared. The lovely one performed a gesture beyond words. But Jesus did so much more than Cinderella.

What Cinderella gave was only a kiss. When she stood to leave, she took her beauty with her and the boy was still deformed. But what did Jesus do? Isaiah tells us:

53:4 Surely he took up our infirmities
       and carried our sorrows,
       yet we considered him stricken by God,
       smitten by him, and afflicted.

53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
       he was crushed for our iniquities;
       the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
       and by his wounds we are healed.

Jesus gave more than a kiss – he gave his beauty.

He paid more than a visit – he paid for our mistakes.

He took more than a minute – he took away our sin.

NO! Actually, it was not Cinderella who made me cry.

It was the Holy Spirit who reminded me the great love of God!

*A Gentle Thunder by Max Lucado. pp86-87

Bless The Broken Road (Selah)

Bless The Broken Road

I set out on a narrow way, many years ago
Hoping I would find true love, along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn’t see how every sign, pointed straight to you

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were just northern stars
Pointing me on my way, into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
And led me straight to you

Now I’m just rolling home
Into your loving arms
This much I know, is true
That God blessed the broken road
And led me straight to you
That God blessed the broken road
And led me straight to you